Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

Stockton, CA 95211

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these
materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language:
English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Johnson (U.S. Rep. J. Leroy) Collection, Mss141, Holt-Atherton
Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Biography

J. Leroy Johnson, lawyer, member of the U.S. Congress (1941-1956), received a J.D. from
the University of California (1914). He practiced law in Stockton (Calif.)until the onset
of World War I. During the War Johnson served in France, where he won the Silver Star as
a pilot for the 104th Aero Squadron of the American Expeditionary Forces. He resumed his
law practice in 1919 and was elected Deputy District Attorney of San Joaquin County the
following year. He married NABISCO heiress, Elizabeth Alpers, May 22, 1920. Johnson was
Stockton City Attorney (1923-1933), a member of the Stockton Planning
Commission(1934-1941) and Director of the Delta Investment Company. During his ten years
as city attorney, Stockton's population doubled. It was in this period that Stockton's
deep water port was created. Mr. Johnson's legal burden was heavy and involved land
litigation cases. It was he who drafted the legislation that began city planning in
Stockton.

Johnson was first elected to Congress in 1941. He served seven terms, five (78th -82nd
Congress) representing the 3rd California District and two (83rd-84th Congress)
representing the 11th District. Many of these were wartime years, and, Mr. Johnson by
reason of his past War experience, became a significant influence on the House Armed
Services Committee. Johnson toured Italy (June 1945) with various Allied commanders
reviewing conditions and war damage. He then served until retired by the voters in 1956.

Scope and Content

The collection consists primarily of materials pertaining to World War I and World War
II. World War I is delineated in letters from the young Johnson to his girl, Elizabeth
Alpers (1918). Photographs form the bulk of the collection. These depict the Congressman
touring Italy, Hawaii and Japan as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.